An underworld power struggle

There have been several violent incidents linked to the mob in southern Ontario in recent years, including the shooting death of notorious Hamilton mobster Angelo Musitano, who was gunned down outside his home in nearby Waterdown last year.

Someone also fired a hail of bullets into the home of Musitano’s brother, Pat, several weeks later. No arrests have been made in either incident.

Thom said police are investigating if this incident is connected in any way, and also pointed to a number of “murders, bombings and arsons” in the GTA.

“It’s our belief there is something going in the underworld, maybe a power struggle,” he said.

Maureen Gordon, who has lived in the area for 16 years, says it’s a quiet neighbourhood with several senior citizens. (Dan Taekema/CBC)

Police say Iavarone’s wife and two adult children were at home at the time of the incident. The shooter drove a silver vehicle onto the street, parked his vehicle, got out, and then “concealed himself in nearby shrubbery for an extended period of time,” Thom said.

When Iavarone got home, the shooter approached him and fired, Thom said. It happened when he was in the walkway leading to the front door.

‘Nothing like this has ever happened before’

She slept through the commotion on Thursday night, but said she woke up to sirens.

When she looked out the window, she saw police with flashlights searching under cars and cameras going off.

“It’s quiet and lovely here. Nothing like this has ever happened before,” said Sauer, who has lived in the area for years.

“It scares me a little…What if my son had been walking in the road when it happened?”

Here’s a look at the scene, police still have a large area taped off. Neighbours have been reluctant to talk so far but say it’s a nice neighbourhood and nothing like this has happened before. #HamOntpic.twitter.com/r5RnUOyoHT

Maureen Gordon says it’s a “very quiet neighborhood,” with several seniors and few young kids.

Up to this point it’s felt “very safe and comfortable,” said Gordon, who has lived in the area for 16 years.

“It’s pretty unnerving,” she said. “It rattled me for sure.’

But Gordon says she felt better hearing it was a targeted incident.

“To me it’s still a quiet neighborhood,” she said. “Knowing that it was sort of an isolated incident that was targeted, I don’t feel unsafe.”

The shooting happened before 10 p.m. on Thursday night on Sunflower Crescent in Ancaster. (Tony Smyth/CBC)

Police looking for witnesses

There will be a “heavy police presence” around 32 Sunflower Crescent for most of the morning as officers look for evidence and canvas the neighbourhood in the daylight, said Const. Jerome Stewart.

Forensic identification officers will process the scene. Police are also conducting a canvass of the neighbourhood, they said, to identify witnesses and surveillance video that might help with the investigation.